…
“If we are mark'd to die, we are enough
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
…
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.” - William Shakespeare (Henry V, Act IV)
Saint Crispin's Day greetings to all! In keeping with my annual tradition, I watched Henry V again this year.
His army is outnumbered five-to-one against mounted knights, who hold the high ground. But Henry just explains that it's actually a good thing that they are outnumbered, since it means they will each enjoy a 'greater share of honor' when they fight together against those kind of odds--to help their king gain a little real estate on the continent--and that 'gentlemen in England now abed, will think themselves accursed they were not here.' it's a great movie, and this speech sets up the climactic battle. It's easy for me to get caught up in his infectious enthusiasm ... as I sit in my warm comfy living room.
On the other hand, as an American, I align more with Dennis, as regards English royalty.
